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We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Salt Lake

On Tuesday evening, SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposed a 

 to the City Council. It includes more $$ for policing, the city’s Westside, and pedestrian safety. While it actually costs ~$2 billion to run our city, the General Fund is the portion of the budget funded by residents (think: property tax, sales tax, fines).

Citing a volatile stock market, tariffs, and decreasing consumer sentiment, the mayor called this year’s budget “nearly entirely flat” aka just the basics. So why is it up 6.7% from last year? “This increase is driven almost entirely by inflation and the rising cost of maintaining the services and infrastructure we already have,” says the mayor.

Rates are going up for water (about $10/month for low water users) and waste & recycling (about $3/month for residential bins). Expect property taxes to go up next budget season.

: New police, fire, and street maintenance vehicles

: Phase one of The Green Loop, the block right outside City Hall

: Vision Zero safety improvements to three major streets: Redwood Road, 900 West, and 800 South

: More electric vehicle charging stations

: Overnight security at several city parks

Renovating the Fisher Mansion and finding new tenants

: Starter funds for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games

 Utah Transit Authority’s On Demand service

The SLC Council has until June 30 to vote on a final budget. Until then, they’re taking feedback from residents.

📞 Leave a voice message at (801) 535-7654.

 on Tuesday, May 20 or Tuesday, June 3 at 7 p.m.

Salt Lake City's $512 Million Budget Proposal

Local Civics

What's being decided in Salt Lake City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Salt Lake City Council. 

Salt Lake Election and City Hall News

Salt Lake City just unveiled the design for a new, $2 million playground at Liberty Park. It will be an all-abilities park! But what does that actually mean? I asked SLC’s ADA coordinator, Ashley Lichtle.

“Removing any physical barriers makes a park ADA-compliant. But removing physical barriers doesn’t provide opportunities for active participation or social inclusion. This is where inclusive design comes into play (pun intended)!”

According to the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design,* everyone should feel included, smart, independent, safe, active, and comfortable in a play area. Let’s take thrill as an example: Your thrill might be a zip line, mine might be climbing a dirt mound. An all-abilities playground allows for people of all ages and abilities to get their kicks.

Fun fact: These were co-developed by Utah State University.

$2 million of the $85 million parks bond passed by SLC voters is being applied to a new playground in Liberty Park. The park is 

, like a Chill Zone, Challenge Zone, and Thrill Zone. All-abilities elements include sensory gardens, a zipline with full-body support, wheelchair-accessible spin carousels, caregiver accommodations, and Braille and American Sign Language incorporation.

The new Liberty Park playground won’t break ground before 2025. In the meantime, find cheap thrills at some 

: Bickley Park in South Salt Lake, Draper City Park, Sierra Newbold Playground in West Jordan, and Magna Regional Park. 

Salt Lake’s ADA office wants to know what your neighborhood park needs to be inclusive? Email 

Salt Lake Plans for Inclusive Park Thrills

Salt Lake Parks

Parks question

Ask away

Whether it's off-leash dog parks, pickleball courts, pools or playgrounds, we are ranking the best parks in the valley, from Herriman to Salt Lake City, and everywhere in between.

Every Park SLC: Visiting All 511 Parks in Salt Lake County

Every Park SLC

Last Tuesday, SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposed a 

 to the City Council, up 6% from last year. While it actually costs ~$2 billion to run our city, the General Fund is the portion of the budget funded by residents (think: property tax, sales tax, fines). 

Big themes include making Salt Lake City more family-friendly, increasing pedestrian safety, and what I’m calling Sports Lake City — preparing downtown for the NHL, 2034 Olympics, and maybe one day a championship-winning Jazz team.

: Policing, including 10-12 new cops along the Jordan River and North Temple.

 Public transit + on-demand ride services on the westside.

: Affordable housing, not including $18 million already approved by the RDA.

The SLC Council has until June 30 to vote on a final budget. Until then, they’re taking feedback from residents:

 on Tuesday, May 21 or Tuesday, June 4 at 7 p.m.

SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposed a $475 million budget to the City Council, up 6% from last year. This is what it means for Salt Lake.

Explaining the Salt Lake City Mayor's $475 Million Budget Proposal

What Salt Lakers have been wondering. We break down why things in Salt Lake City are the way they are and how they work.

Salt Lake, Explained

Victoria Petro-Eschler is a Salt Lake City council member for District 1. In this neighborhood guide, she shares her favorite spots to eat and things to do on the westside:

International Market when it’s open at the fairgrounds

Rose Park baseball game when it’s in season

Sabor - It’s authentic food that represents a variety of Latin cultures – everything is delicious!

Star of India - The coconut curry is spectacular and it's made with attention to detail and authenticity.

Diversion - A HUGE variety of comfort foods made with an eye toward inclusive diets so everyone can enjoy no matter their food tolerances. A restaurant designed for enjoying the social aspects of enjoying a meal together.

Get To Know SLC With Council Member Victoria Petro-Eschler

Everything to know about Salt Lake City neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Salt Lake Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

Utahns, your mom and I are getting a new flag. Let’s talk about it. Or rather, let’s talk to University of Utah design professor Elpitha Tsoutsounakis about what makes a good flag and why we should even have one. Head to 

 for the full interview with Elpitha and host Ali Vallarta.


“What makes a good flag design is that it’s simple. You can’t have too many colors or too intricate shapes. It has to be at the right scale to be able to be large or small but still communicate well. You want it to be replicable on a variety of different materials — on paper, on cloth, or tattooed on your skin.”



In the digital age, why do we need a physical flag? 


“Until we can transport our consciousness to virtual beings completely we still live in physical bodies. It’s why I still believe in a physical book. It’s why I still get the newspaper on Sundays delivered to my porch so I can read it. I think we want to engage with something. A flag can be in so many different places, off of the screen, in our real lives. The digital just isn’t enough.”



Is Utah’s new flag going to be a beehive?

“
I mean, if I was a betting woman…I would probably put my money on a beehive.”

3 Questions For A Utah Flag Re-Design Committee Member

What Salt Lake City celebrities, public figures and key citizens have to say about living here.

local politics

Salt Lake City's $512 Million Budget Proposal

Salt Lake Plans for Inclusive Park Thrills

Explaining the Salt Lake City Mayor's $475 Million Budget Proposal

Latest articles

Salt Lake City's $512 Million Budget Proposal

Salt Lake Plans for Inclusive Park Thrills

Explaining the Salt Lake City Mayor's $475 Million Budget Proposal

Get To Know SLC With Council Member Victoria Petro-Eschler

3 Questions For A Utah Flag Re-Design Committee Member

Latest articles

Get To Know SLC With Council Member Victoria Petro-Eschler

3 Questions For A Utah Flag Re-Design Committee Member